What Is A Repinique? - Samba Instruments
What Is A Repinique? - Samba Instruments
What is a repinique?
A repinique (otherwise known as ‘repique’) is a metal-shelled Brazilian drum known for its loud pitch. You’ll often spot this boisterous instrument front and centre of a bateria (samba band) as it leads the sound of samba through the energetic Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo Carnivals.
‘Repinique’ comes form the Portuguese word meaning ‘to call’ and it is traditionally used by the head of the samba band. If you’re lucky enough, you might even be treated to an improvised solo!
What does a repinique drum look like?
Usually tall and relatively thin, the repinique drum is carried using a shoulder strap and ranges from around 8 to 12 inches in diameter. It can be played with one stick and a bare hand (often seen in Rio-style samba), or with two wooden sticks for producing rapid, energetic rhythms.
Samba drumming workshops
Learning how to play the repinique can be a rewarding and enriching experience. At Unbeatable Energy, we’ve shared our love for samba with communities, schools and businesses from across the UK for almost two decades! Get in touch today by clicking the button below to learn more about our nationwide samba drumming classes.
What does the repinique drum sound like?
The repinique is a loud, high pitched drum without any snares. This produces a bright, clear sound that rises above the rest of the Bateria. Check out our video below of Steve Rivers leading an energised group of students at a school workshop!
What Is A Tamborim? - Samba Instruments
What Is A Tamborim? - Samba Instruments
What is a Tamborim?
The tamborim (not to be confused with a tambourine) is a small hand-held drum used by Brazilian samba bands. This instrument packs a powerful punch with its high and sharp sound and it is usually played with a whip stick to create fast cross-rhythms that give samba its characteristic groove.
Expert tamborim players have the ability to perform advanced techniques, such as flipping the drum mid-pattern and delaying a note to create a ‘shuffly’ swing rhythm. This is called Virado which means ‘Twist’ in Portuguese.
What does a tamborim look like?
Small, round and circular in shape, the tamborim is around 6 to 8 inches in diameter with a shallow depth of 1 or 2 inches. The drum is typically made using metal or wood and has a tightly stretched drumhead made from a durable material such as plastic or animal skin.
Despite its small size, the tamborim plays a vital role in producing the energetic and vibrant sounds that are characteristic of samba music.
Samba drumming workshops
For almost two decades, we’ve been spreading the rhythm and joy of samba to communities, schools, and businesses all over the UK. During our classes, you’ll also get a chance to experience the surdo and repinique drums.
Get in touch today by clicking the button below to learn more about our nationwide samba drumming classes.
What does the tamborim drum sound like?
The tamborim drum produces a sharp and high-pitched sound that is distinct and recognizable in samba music.
When struck with a whip stick, the tightly-stretched drumhead creates a crisp, bright tone that cuts through the mix of other percussion instruments in the band.
The tamborim’s sound is crucial to the complex and intricate rhythms of samba music, and it adds depth and energy to the overall sound.
When played together with other instruments in a samba band, the tamborim’s unique sound contributes to the lively and vibrant atmosphere that is synonymous with this genre of music.
What Is A Surdo Drum? - Samba Instruments
What Is A Surdo Drum? - Samba Instruments
What is a surdo drum?
The surdo is a large cylindrical bass drum used in Brazilian music, mostly in samba and other Afro-Brazilian rhythms such as Samba-reggae/Axé. It is worn around the waist or strung from the shoulders as surdo bands march through the streets during festivals and carnivals.
What does a surdo drum look like?
The cylindrical surdo drum varies in diameter from 40cm to 73cm. In Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil, they are typically 60cm deep, however, in other parts of Brazil they can be as shallow as 50cm.
Generally, the outside of the surdo is made from wood, fibreglass or aluminium whereas the head is made from a thick and durable material such as goatskin or plastic.
Samba drumming workshops
Grooving with a samba group can be a fun and enriching experience, even if you’ve never picked a drum in your life. At Unbeatable Energy, we’ve shared our love for samba with communities, schools and businesses from across the UK for almost two decades! Get in touch today by clicking the button below to learn more about our nationwide samba drumming classes.
What does the surdo drum sound like?
The sound of the surdo is characterized by a deep and powerful low-frequency tone, which provides the rhythmic foundation for samba. The drummer can play a variety of patterns and rhythms on the surdo, using different techniques with the mallet or beater to produce a range of energising sounds, from short and staccato to long and sustained.
It is really satisfying to play. Each vibrational beat resonates through your body. Check out our video below of Steve Rivers leading an energised group of students at a school workshop!
